The night was heavy with silence, broken only by the faint sound of waves brushing against the harbor outside the window. Adrian sat at the edge of the bed, his gaze fixed on Leviana who lay beneath the soft covers, her skin pale under the dim bedside lamp.

She gave a delicate cough, her hand fluttering weakly toward him. “Adrian…” Her voice trembled, almost fragile. “Could you stay here with me? I don’t want to be alone tonight.”

Adrian blinked, his mind replaying the sharp image of Deviana’s eyes when she had confronted him days ago. Are you sure Leviana is truly sick? Her words had cut through him like...